Walk Diary

Wednesday, 20 September 2017

This walk was an old favourite, starting at Newlands Corner. The weather
was fine although overcast but fortunately didn't spoil the fine
views.

The route took us up to St Martha's Church, a steady
climb well worth the effort, and nice spot to pause for a
moment before heading off downhill towards the Chantries Woods.

Points of
interest on route were the ruins of the Gunpowder Factory (currently being cleared of undergrowth) at
Chilworth, and a small herd of curly coated Hungarian Mangalitsa pigs.

Leaving Waterloo Pond
the terrain continued steeply uphill before reaching White Lane and the last
climb returning to our starting point at Newlands Corner. Three of us stayed on
afterwards for Lunch at the café.

Walk Diary Sunday 3rd September

Our walk on Sunday
started at the Frensham Hotel, a lovely setting overlooking Frensham Great
Pond. We were a small group of four including myself, I guess some of you may
have been put off by potential weather conditions.

We were lucky though, a
little damp at times but we all enjoyed a very pleasant walk on an
interesting and varied new route.

Monday, 22 May 2017

13 of us set off on
the walk. We were lucky with dry weather and it got warmer as the walk
progressed and so we gradually removed layers of clothing.

Parking proved unexpectedly difficult as the Moat pond car park was
unexpectedly full as several groups had chosen the same day to walk. There was
a group of birders, a young walking group and us and many people out taking
advantage of the fine weather.

We set off round the Moat pond and confidently followed a board walk
across the marsh until we came out at a beautiful artwork of a dragonfly which
was not on our intended walk. Going across this way we did however see numerous
lizards basking on the board walk carefully resting at the edges so we would
not tread upon them. They were remarkably untroubled by our approaching
although a few did take shelter as more and more of us passed by and stooped to
examine them. Consulting Johns Sat Nav we worked out the board walk we should
have been on and took the path back to the intended walk which brought us to
the birders by Pudmore Pond. A little further along brought us to Thor's Stone,
a mighty rock jutting out of the marsh all of two feet above the ground.

The path took us across the Heath through Ockley Common across a stream
and to Fork Pond where we stopped to admire the lake and sat on three
conveniently placed huge logs and had a drink.

Continuing the path we walked along the pond and through a wood coming out
to where Hammer Pond should have been visible. In this case the problem was due
to the fact that the pond had been drained rather than us going wrong. From
here we walked up a valley which gave us a view at the top to the edge of
Thursley Common one way and to Box Hill the other. At one time this had been
part of the London to Portsmouth Road.

A little further on we came to the Old Portsmouth Road and took a path
across a field where we had a fine view of a deer grazing. We walked on around
Thursley Church and resisted the call of the Three Horseshoes pub which was 150
metres off our path. Paths then took us back across heathland and a very sandy
path to the Moat.

We arrived back in three groups as two Hobbys proved of overwhelming interest
to the bird watchers amongst us but we all did get back safely.

A very varied walk. If you have the walk book The walks near Godalming it
is number 15. Do walk it. It is beautiful and the best of luck with finding
your way through the board walks.

Our thanks to Keith for an interesting and varied walk, and also for the
detailed walk report!!

Sunday, 21 May 2017

14 of us turned up for the 6.5 mile walk from Gomshall,
mostly the usual suspects but it was good to see Colin and Mary after such a
long time. May is such a gorgeous month that even though the sun didn’t
come out until after we’d finished, it was still very pleasant. The main
hope was for bluebells but I was worried that as they’d been so early this year
and as they’re finishing so early because of the lack of rain, that we may have
missed them. But there were loads of bluebells still looking gorgeous,
and as well as all the fresh green lushness, there was also plenty of
stitchwort, cow parsley, cuckoo flower (no cuckoos though) and (according
to Jenny who must be right) red campion.

We walked up into the hills
above Gomshall and had lovely wide views before entering woods and finally
meandering down to the Volunteer pub in Sutton Abinger (currently closed for
refurbishment.) More woods and more open spaces with lovely views before
getting back to Gomshall just before 1.00.

7 of us went to Tillings for
coffee and cakes and 4 into the Mill for something more substantial.

Sunday, 5 February 2017

The day
dawned clear and cold. Despite a forecast for cloud and a chance of rain, we
were very pleasantly relieved. 13 of us assembled in the pub car park plus our
lively Staffie Skye, the discussion was not about what to wear but whether
sunglasses would be necessary! Cutting through the adjacent church grounds, we
then turned south towards Headley Heath. The going was actually very benign as
the muddy bits had all frozen over.

Passing the Headley CC house en route,
Helen stopped the group to announce that the cricket club did NOT have any
famous members play for it! Heading further south we encountered two small
ponds dedicated to encouraging amphibian life. The first pond is called Hopeful
(Photo opportunity!) and the second pond is called, as expected, Brimmer?!!!

We
moved on. Joe led the group to a lovely cottage in the woods, a slight wrong
turn but quickly corrected! A minor two minute detour and we were all back on
the right track. The path descended into a gully and as the group walked up out
of it they saw a very old dam which may have been connected to the Canadian
military base there in WW2.

We then
followed a long straight path which led past Bellasis House (SOE WW2) and
Ashurst house (now an outdoor activity centre).

Stopping
for lunch, we enjoyed watching a number of robins watching us watching them!
The descent to the bottom of Headley Heath from there was steep but at least
dry! What goes down must go up! We joined the pathway as it led to the Steps!
Many steps! A good workout for all! After a short rest, and taking in the lovely
view over to Box Hill, we meandered across the heath enjoying the bright clear
sunshine. Eventually we left the official Heath boundary and crossing a couple
of roads and paths we headed back gently uphill to the Cock Inn where 10 of us
stayed for coffee, soup and some good Surrey ale.

Not a
bad morning in the end! Many thanks to those who took the time and effort to
join us.

Ten people came for the walk on Sunday keen for some
exercise before loosening our belts at Christmas. It was mild for the time of
year but damp although we had no rain. Starting from Sheerwater Road we walked
up the Basingstoke Canal going under the M25 and then crossing the Wey
Navigation. We then walked down the Wey until we reached Murray's Cart Bridge.
As this is now closed we saw neither carts nor anyone else crossing here. At
this point we took a track left which went over the M25. On the far side we
encountered a field with pigmy pigs, llamas and other farm animals all happily
living together. No sign of old MacDonald.

We walked on to Byfleet Church
walking through the graveyard and stopped for a break at the end. We came out
on to the road which became a path which led us under the M25 for the third
time. The track us to Wisley where we swung by the church and into Wisley Golf
Course. We succeeded in finding our way through the course, not the easiest of
things to do as I have found in earlier attempts, and back to the Wey
Navigation at Pyrford Lock.

Resisting calling in at the Anchor we were soon
told by a barge coming in the opposite direction that we were going the wrong
way to the pub. Nevertheless we pressed on crossing the Wey at Dodd's Bridge
and following paths through fields until we came out at Holybank Road and a
walk through the private estate. We soon came to the A245 and had a discussion
about the best route across. We decided eventually to use the crossing which
was a great idea until we realised it was not working so we stepped out and
fortunately the traffic stopped. Back to the cars we went our separate
ways, all I believe intact.

Wednesday, 5 October 2016

11
of us gathered in the Green Dene car park under leaden grey skies although as the
first part of the walk was though the trees, the sky wasn’t that visible. It
wasn’t long before the clouds dissipated and the sun came out to give a very
pleasant day.

The walk took us up hills and down dales, through woods and
across meadows with some splendid views across the Thames Valley, with London
just visible in the far distance. Sadly, there was ample evidence of ash
dieback, a disease that is wreaking havoc with one of Britain’s native trees.
The attached photos show those of you that didn’t do the walk what you missed. Many thanks go to Jenny for leading yet another great walk.